Democrat Denise Juneau and Republican Ryan Zinke will meet in their third debate in the race for Montana's U.S. House seat tonight. MTPR plans to broadcast the event live at 6 PM. We’ll also live stream it at MTPR.org.
Zinke and Juneau will be joined on stage at Great Falls College by a newcomer to the race, Libertarian Rick Breckenridge.
Breckenridge replaced Mike Fellows after Fellows died in a car crash last month.
Zinke is seeking a second two-year term. He is fending off a challenge by Juneau, the outgoing superintendent of public instruction.
Top issues in the race have been keeping federal public lands under federal control, and development of Montana’s coal resources. Zinke attacked Juneau on that at their last debate in Billings, September first.
“When my opponent says she is pro-coal I don’t think anything could be further from the truth," Zinke said. "Affordable energy is critical to Montana and we have to protect that."
Juneau pointed out that she’s been endorsed by the Crow tribe, which is economically dependent on coal.
"I've taken votes on the State Land Board that are pro-coal, pro-oil and gas, pro all of the above and I stand by that record," Juneau said.
Tonight’s debate is expected to be the last one in the House race before the election.
